Sexual assaults should be reported with more frequency

For the safety of students at Ithaca College, Cornell University and residents of Ithaca, victims should strive to always report incidents of sexual assault and rape.

More than 60 percent of sexual assaults go unreported, according to the Advocacy Center of Ithaca. There is a significant gap between the number of reported rapes and the actual incidence of rape. The simple truth is that if victims don’t report crimes, there can’t be greater strides toward prevention and resources.

While the three recent attacks reported at Cornell University may seem like a high number in a short period of time, it should serve as a wake up call as to how many assaults may really be happening here. If those are merely the reported incidents, it is of even greater importance to encourage those who remain silent to give their voices to the fight against sexual assault.